On our way to Kells #3; Wardstown (?)

After our surprise stop at Galtrim graveyard (see post of 23 October) and our (perfectly planned) visit of Trim (30 October), we went on towards our BnB, about 10km to the North-East of Kells. We chose the smallest roads we could find, and took a short detour to make sure we could visit the ruins of Rathmore Abbey on the way. And that is how, on one of these tiny back roads, we ended up facing a sign indicating a nearby graveyard. Of course, we had to stop. I have no idea

what its name is, but I identified its position on a map, and it's on the Wardstown townland, near the Hill of Ward, less than 3km from Athboy. It is in the middle of a wheat field that has to be crossed to reach it. We would probably never have spotted it without this sign, although I now know what typical features to look for - trees. However agricultural the land looks, a large clump of trees usually signals a graveyard, especially if it includes yew trees:

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So let's cross the field and have a look at that mysterious graveyard. I'll be honest: the graves in there were not the most striking I've seen, but its bucolic setting make it a beautiful, peaceful place. This was early August, and the colours in the field itself were the stuff for a successful watercolour: the mixed hues of the ripening wheat were highlighted by the bright red and pale blue of abundant poppies and a few of what I think are linseed flowers(?).

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The enchantment continued once we got inside the graveyard. The graves are set in one of the choicest environments, with the typical yew trees but also an unusual variety of leafy trees, and therefore an assortment of green hues. Many of the tombstones were barely accessible, hidden as they were under branches, grass, and creeping ivy. Believe it or not, there is a tombstone in the second image of the gallery below (let me know if you see it). As for the last image, these brightly colourful flowers were growing on a grave, with no sign or identification. The symbol of all these flowers congregating specifically on this spot was particularly moving.

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Of the church this graveyard emerged around, only one wall remains, and there is a good chance the trees now growing on top of it will end up bringing it down sometime soon. So I will end this post with the only acceptable picture I managed to get of it, as the rain started to flood my lens. We had over 90 minutes left to cycle to our BnB, and would spend them under heavy rain. This did not prevent us from stopping at Rathmore Abbey on the way, though.